Cold War Conversations Doped, Abused and Abandoned: Growing Up in East Germany’s Sports System (400)
Apr 25, 2025
Kerstin shares her harrowing experiences in East Germany's oppressive sports system, detailing the physical abuse and state-sponsored doping she endured from a young age. She reveals the emotional toll of being dismissed from the program and coping with her father's death, leading her to a spiral of addiction and isolation. Despite these struggles, Kerstin's journey toward healing includes reconciliation with her past and her mother. Her powerful story serves as a reminder of the dark realities faced by athletes under an authoritarian regime.
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Early Gymnastics and Abuse
- Kerstin was identified at age five for elite gymnastics training leading to intense regimens and abuse.
- She cried in secret and was punished for showing weakness, showing the regime's cruelty.
Selection and Intense Training
- At age five, sporting scouts selected Kerstin for gymnastics based on body size and flexibility.
- Daily training started with ballet and gymnastics for four hours, leading to exhaustion and fear of trainers.
Secret Doping Begins
- At about nine years old, Kerstin started receiving pills they told her were vitamins for bone strength.
- The pills were secretly doping agents, given without clear labeling or her parents' informed consent.